For anyone who has spent time in Kitchener, Ontario, and especially aviation enthusiasts, they are bound to be familiar with the full-size model of a Second World War Spitfire fighter aircraft perched atop the K-W Surplus store located on Victoria Street North.
That replica aircraft, an iconic fixture since 1997, was removed on April 20, 2026 and is being donated to a new home at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
K-W Surplus store owner Ray Whittemore sold the business and is generously donating the Spitfire to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, of which Whittemore is an active member. CHAA, in turn, will offer the aircraft to be the focal point of a new Memorial Garden on the airport grounds, giving the Spitfire a new home atop a new pedestal. The Memorial Garden will be constructed and maintained by a Committee made up of representatives from CHAA, the airport, the Town of Tillsonburg, local organizations and residents.
The Memorial Garden will pay tribute to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Two past presidents of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association will also be honoured: Former Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Charley Fox, a highly decorated Spitfire pilot who is credited with wounding Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, one of Germany’s most famous military commanders, in his staff car prior to D Day; as well as Canadian Astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason who was President at the time of his sudden passing.
The Spitfire replica will first be examined for necessary repairs, and when completed, repainted in the colours flown by Charley Fox during wartime.
Tillsonburg artist Stella Jurgen has created an artist rendition of the new Memorial Garden that will include a plaque and benches donated by the families of CHAA’s three Founding Fathers: Bob Hewitt, Norm Beckham and Len Fallowfield.
Fundraising is taking place to help with costs of this project. One way to donate is by visiting the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association’s Canada Helps page.